TempleTemple TimesTimes Feb 2019 • Shevat/Adar 5779 Volume 306 • URJ Affiliated Temple Emanu-El Sarasota, Florida • Founded 1956 Judaism does not want us to despair in who are sick, but also of those who care for Rabbi’s Message illness, rather we are a people of hope. One them. act that manifests hope is our prayers. In our We also keep a silent healing list. Some sanctuary, when singing Mi Shebeirach, we of our members are more private. Some on are praying as a community. We are plead- the silent list are fighting long term battles. ing with God to bless and heal, to restore and We also pray for them. strengthen, and to make this happen swiftly. One of the greatest moments at temple is During many Shabbat services, we taking someone off the healing list when they faithfully offer one of the most beloved and are better. The return to services for the first familiar versions of Mi Shebeirach by Debbie time is cause for celebration and thanks. Friedman. When we sing this prayer, we ask We don’t always know that one of our the “Source of strength, who blessed the ones members is in the hospital or that someone before us, to help us find the courage to make you care for is ill. We want to know. Until the our lives a blessing” and to “bless those in day comes when all who are sick are healed, need of healing with r’fuah sh’leimah, the we ask you to please let us know when a renewal of body, the renewal of spirit.” name should be added to our healing lists. We have a beautiful tradition before we We care and want to offer prayers. sing Mi Shebeirach. We recite out loud the Please join in singing Mi Shebeirach at names of those who need healing. By doing Shabbat Alive on February 15th featuring the Rabbi Michael Shefrin this, we present those names to the Source of music of Debbie Friedman. We will offer the Healing. There is another reason. When we names of those sacred souls in need as we hear those names, our compassion is awak- pray to our God, healer of the sick. Healing ened. We come to know who might need our And let us say—Amen. support. We should think not only of those “Rabbi, will you say a Mi Shebeirach?” This request comes when one has taken ill or is need of healing for another reason. They are A Sephardic Shabbat. 10 asking for prayers on their behalf or for a friend INSIDE: Brotherhood. 2 Join Tot Shabbat in Strawberry Fields ..11 or loved one who is going through their own Hebrew Word of the Month. .2 Tot Shabbat “Shares Havdallah”. .11 struggles. It is an honor to offer those prayers and Endowment. .3 Adult Education Update. 12 recite the names of people whose body, mind, and Starfish Initiative . 4-5 Confirmation Class Report . 13 spirit need healing. Staff Spotlight: Bonnie Clarke. .6 Israeli Cooking Demo . 13 It is difficult when someone is ill. Our great- TEE Charity Golf Tournament. .7 Early Learning Center. 14 est fears come forth. When we or someone we care TEE Hosts Judy Glickman Lauder. 8 Library. 14 about is suffering, we find ourselves in the midst Shabbat Alive! Memorial. .8 TEE Welcomes You. 15 of doubt or confusion. We don’t want to think of Sisterhood to Celebrate Purim . 9 Mark Your Calendar ............. 16 the possibilities. We want to find comfort. tion of Sarasota-Manatee. This year’s trib- details can be obtained from me at bob. ute also highlighted the support Dr. King [email protected]. received from his friend Rabbi Abraham Looking ahead a bit, Brotherhood Joshua Heschel. Reverend Charles Mack- and Sisterhood are sponsoring a charity enzie once again captivated the audience golf tournament at the Meadows Country with readings from Dr. King’s speeches, Club on Sunday, April 7. This is our large and the musical accompaniment was pro- fund-raising event of the year. There are vided by Greatness Beyond Measure. The many opportunities for helping make event concluded with a dessert reception this a huge success. You might consider Brotherhood provided by Sisterhood. Our thanks to all becoming a hole sponsor. Golfers can sign who made this a resounding success. up to play. Or maybe you have something In January we had our second breakfast In February we are offering some- to contribute for the Silent Auction. And program of the year. Professor Bob Toplin thing new—a Youth Summit. This is being we’ll be looking for volunteers to help out filled us in on the life and times of Louis held on Sunday, February 10 at noon, im- on the day of the tournament. Flyers are Brandeis, the first Jewish Supreme Court mediately following Sunday School. The available in the temple lobby and office. justice. Of course this was accompanied program should be of interest to both kids For more information contact Barry Ger- by a fantastic bagel and lox breakfast. and their parents. Details can be found on ber at [email protected]. Many thanks to Don Malawsky and his flyers in the temple office and lobby. team for all the arrangements. On Friday, February 22 we’re having Bob Meisel Also in January we had our 5th trib- the organizational meeting of the Men’s Brotherhood President ute to Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Group described in last month’s Temple Jr. This event was co-sponsored by Broth- Times. Sponsored by Brotherhood and erhood, Sisterhood and the Social Action under the direction of Rabbi Glickman, Committee, along with the Jewish Federa- the group will meet at 2:00. Further the portion on the Garden of Eden and is ful gift shop—offer Tree of Life jewelry Hebrew Word of the referred to as the counterpart of the Tree that depicts artistic variations of the Tree of Knowledge. Most commonly in Jewish of Life. Moreover, Hallmark cards have Month: “Etz Hayyim” tradition, the Torah is considered the Tree editions celebrating Jewish holidays that of Life. The most famous use of this phrase are branded “Tree of Life.” by Toby Halpern, Immediate Past Pres- occurs in the prayer for returning the To- ident and Member, Israel Committee rah to the Ark: “It is a Tree of Life (Etz Hayyim) to In honor of the festival of Tu B’Shvat, the those who take hold of it, Israel Committee decided to highlight the and happy are those who phrase “Etz Hayyim”—meaning “Tree of support it. Its ways are Life”—during this season. Tu B’Shvat was ways of pleasantness, and celebrated on the 15th day of the Hebrew all its paths are peace.” month of Shvat, which occurred on Mon- Tree of Life is a com- day, January 21 and marks the beginning mon name for synagogues of the New Year and yeshivas as well as of the Trees. It is for works of rabbinic considered Jewish literature. Most recently, Arbor Day and we heard about the Tree of also signifies the Life Synagogue in Pitts- emergence of burgh in connection with spring. the horrific massacre that took place there. The term “Etz Items in our gift Hayyim,” first ap- shop inspired by Etz In addition, many pears in the Book Hayyim,—the “Tree synagogues and temples— of Genesis, in of Life.” including our own wonder- 2 Shlomo meets a great girl and Shlomo’s life will not be enriched by Endowment maybe he is lucky enough to have one our vivid Jewish heritage, the great A story about little Shlomo. of our rabbis officiate at his wedding. friends, the many social exposures Keep imagining a few more years and the cultural activities that I have Let’s suppose there is a little kid in and Shlomo brings HIS six year old loved in this city. our religious school today named child to Temple Emanu-El Religious You do not have to be wealthy SHLOMO. Imagine that little Shlomo School. That is 25 years from now! to assure Shlomo’s future. Endow- is currently a first grader in our reli- So far this story about Shlomo ment pledges are not cash out of your gious school. has been fictional, but… pocket today, but a small designated Let’s keep looking into the fu- Fifty years ago, my parents came portion of the assets remaining after ture…the year is 2025, and Shlomo to Sarasota. One of the reasons they you have lived a rich Jewish life. is standing here celebrating his Bar settled in Sarasota was because this Mitzvah in our sanctuary which is temple had been established. Our Mark Sharff, filled with his classmates and friends. family has celebrated Bar Mitzvahs Endowment Committee Chair Next, Shlomo is celebrating his con- and educated our children at Temple (941) 374-1107 firmation in the year 2028. Emanu-El. Also, like our fictional We have now framed our young Shlomo, we were fortunate in that Endowment Fund Committee: man’s Jewish education. our daughter Betsy’s wedding was Don Bernstein* . Irv Broh* Keep looking into the future. brilliantly led by our Rabbi Brenner Jay Forgotson* .......Barry Gerber* Maybe in 2030 our Shlomo goes to Glickman. Renee Gold* ....... Howie Goldberg* college, attends some events at Hillel, Shlomo’s story that is not so far Mark Sharff* ........Laurence Barnet and even joins a Jewish fraternity from reality. The year 2025, is a mere Phillip Meltzer ....... Larry Newman because he developed a love of the seven years from now, seems like a Michael Richker .